Garfield Heights Municipal Court
The Garfield Heights phone system will be down Friday May 15th at noon.

Remote Appearances

You may appear remotely by Zoom.us ONLY IF ordered by a judge or magistrate. Your hearing notice states whether you may appear by Zoom.us or must appear in person. If your hearing notice permits you to appear by Zoom.us, you must have a smartphone or computer with a microphone and camera.
Prior to the day of your hearing
  • Step 1: Download the Zoom App (https://zoom.us/signup) on your computer or smart phone.
  • Step 2: Use your full first and last name when creating the account so that it will appear for the judicial officer when you connect. Your hearing will be delayed if we do not know who you are.
  • Step 3: Test your microphone and camera through the app. Become familiar with the “mute” and other settings before the hearing.
  • Step 4: Learn how to use Zoom and practice before your court date. You may view instructions and video tutorials, and you may practice in a test meeting at Zoom support: Joining a Zoom meeting.
  • Step 5: If you do not have the right computer or smartphone or the ability to master the steps above, you must appear in person at the courthouse for your hearing. Your inability to use Zoom correctly is not an excuse for failure to appear or for delaying the hearing.
Your Right to Appear In-Person
You have the right to be physically present in the courtroom at all the stages of your case. By appearing on Zoom rather than in person, you give up your right to appear in person.
Remote Appearance Rules
If you want to appear remotely with Zoom.us, you must comply with the following rules. Any violation of these rules may result in a penalty of $100.00, a warrant being issued for your arrest, or the rescheduling of your hearing in person.
  1. You must be able to connect by both video and audio. If your device does not support both video and audio, you must appear in person.
  2. You must log in with your full name so the judicial officer can identify you on the record.
  3. You must log in to the Zoom courtroom at least 15 minutes before your hearing time. You may not log in more than 10 minutes after your assigned time. Failure to appear or a late appearance in person or by Zoom will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
  4. You must not be operating a motor vehicle.
  5. You must be fully and appropriately dressed.
  6. You must be in an appropriate, quiet environment.
  7. You must be stationary and not moving. You may not be lying down, but must be seated in an upright and respectful manner.
  8. You may not be smoking, eating food, or drinking beverages.
  9. You may not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  10. You must have a device or paper and a writing instrument to make notes as directed by the judicial officer.